JOB BRIEF
Reporting to the Care Co-ordinator, a Care Assistant is responsible for providing care and support to individuals with identified care needs and to assist and enable them to remain independent in their homes and to access alternative services in the community for as long as possible.
The Care Assistants role is to improve the quality of life of vulnerable people on a weekly or daily basis, assisting them in practical activities such as: going to the shops or helping them get in and out of bed. You could be working in a care home or visiting people in their own homes depending on the job or assisting other care workers in their activities. It is a very rewarding career and can be done on contract, permanent or temporary basis and there are different shifts available day or night.
RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:
• To work with vulnerable adults who are experiencing difficulties due to their disability, which can be due to physical disability, old age, mental disability or illness.
• Expected to use initiative and act in emergencies.
• To travel to Service User’s as directed.
• To carry out personal and caring tasks which are not the responsibilities of a Nurse, in line with service procedures.
• To encourage and motivate Service User’s to maintain their independence.
• To report to the Registered Manager on the condition of the Service User’s, when there are significant changes in their behaviour, needs or circumstances.
• To establish a relationship with the Service User by giving support and to avoid isolation, improve the quality of life whenever possible.
• To encourage and use special equipment provided and to assist Service Users if and when authorised by Service or Scheme Manager.
• To contact a Doctor, Emergency Services or make appointments.
• To participate in the Code of Practice in relation to the administration of
Medication
• To prepare and cook meals
• To assist with the budgeting of household accounts, collect pensions, shopping and paying of bills if family members are unable to undertake themselves.
REQUIREMENT AND SKILLS:
• Caring for clients, either elderly or people with disabilities and families by assisting with medications to helping with household chores. There will be slight differences in the type of activities depending on the shift or whether it is day or night care.
• Assisting with other care staff such as: care manager, home manager and care workers
• Liaising with people from other departments such as: social services, housing officers and GP’s, therefore effective verbal and non-verbal skills are essential.
• Need to be sensitive to people of different backgrounds and be able to listen and communicate effectively with service users. Ability to communicate to service users whose first language may not be English is desirable.
• Will need to be a caring and patient person
• Requirement of a full and clean driving license may be necessary in some cases
There are no formal qualifications that are required to apply for care assistant jobs, however, any relevant work experience which involved looking after vulnerable people such as: the elderly, people with learning difficulties or other disabilities can help in a successful application. Training is completed on-the-job and covers everything from health and safety to specific care. As a care assistant, you can work towards a care certificate, Health and Social Care NVQ/levels 2 or 3 to progress to become a care worker with more responsibilities.